China's Foreign Ministry says the move comes in response to plans in Lithuania to open a representation of Taiwan.
"Recently, the Lithuanian Government, in disregard of China's repeated representations and articulation of potential consequences, has announced its decision to allow the Taiwan authorities to open a "representative office" under the name of "Taiwan". The decision brazenly violates the spirit of the communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Lithuania and severely undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Chinese ministry said in a statement.
"The Chinese Government expresses its categorical opposition to this move. China has decided to recall its Ambassador to Lithuania and demanded the Lithuanian Government recall its Ambassador to China," the statement reads.
China also warned Lithuania that "there is only one China in the world and the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China", and urged Lithuania to "immediately rectify its wrong decision, take concrete measures to undo the damage".
Moreover, China also warned Taiwan that that "Taiwan independence" is a dead end and any attempt at separatist activities in the international arena is doomed to fail".
Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it was informed about the decision to recall the Chinese ambassador to Lithuania earlier in the day. It was also suggested that Lithuania should recall its ambassador to Beijing.
"While regretting this move of China, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry takes this opportunity to reiterate that in line with the One-China principle Lithuania is determined to pursue mutually beneficial ties with Taiwan like many other countries in the European Union and the rest of the world do," the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said.
Several weeks ago, Taiwan announced plans to
Taiwan's representative office in Lithuania is expected to open an office in Lithuania separately from China. It is expected to launch activities as early as this summer. Lithuania also plans to open a commercial representation in Taiwan.
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry also said earlier that Lithuania is interested in expanding its cooperation with Taiwan in various fields, laying particular emphasis on the development of economic relations and cultural exchanges.